Vaccine Against Boar Taint Gaining International Approval

September 4, 2007 — 

The injectable product Improvac?, manufactured by Pfizer Animal Health, was developed for commercial use in Australia and New Zealand to provide an alternative to surgical castration.

Boar taint is associated with the presence of two compounds androstenone and skatole which are present at high levels in male pigs starting at approximately 110 days of age. The product targets naturally occurring gonadotrophin releasing factor (GnRF) in intact male pigs. Reduction in boar taint is achieved following two injections four weeks apart prior to slaughter. Vaccination against GnRF results in a marked reduction in testicular size usually noted within two weeks following the second injection with a concomitant decrease in testosterone and androstenone levels. The levels of skatole are also significantly reduced according to studies conducted by the manufacturer.

The timing of administration near slaughter age allows the producer to capture the growth traits and carcass quality characteristics associated with intact males while avoiding the necessity for castration to eliminate boar taint. The product is currently licensed for use in Australia, Brazil, Chile, Korea, Mexico, New Zealand, Philippines, South Africa and Switzerland.

Two interesting publications discussing this relatively new technology are available in Volume 59 of The Pig Journal . Abstracts and subscription information is available online.